Rationale

All IR majors will "cap" their study by taking a seminar or by completing a research alternative. You should be aware that, at Tufts, a seminar is not merely another course. We require seminars because they provide you with an opportunity to interact closely with faculty, and because we consider it very important that you develop the speaking and writing skills that can only be addressed in a small-group setting. You should choose a seminar that builds on your courses and knowledge acquired in the Thematic Concentration requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is an IR seminar?
IR Seminars provide an integrative opportunity for students to think, research, and communicate critically about political, social, economic, and cultural issues, events, and texts. Building upon knowledge and methods acquired in the Core Requirements and Thematic Concentration, the seminar serves as a capstone experience where students complete a focused research paper and participate in class presentations or debate.

Can I use transfer courses, courses taken abroad, Sophomore Seminars in the Department of Political Science or Colloquia in the Department of History to count for my seminar requirement?
No. Courses that do not appear on the seminar list, including transfer courses or courses taken abroad, may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Sophomore Seminars in the Department of Political Science and Colloquia in the Department of History do not satisfy this requirement (although they may be used as one of the courses in a Thematic Concentration if they appear in the approved concentration listing). Finally, neither the Tufts-in-Washington research paper nor the Washington foreign policy seminar may be used to satisfy this requirement.

How do I find out what seminars are being offered?
The seminar list will be updated each semester and will be available both online and in the IR office during every pre-registration period. We have attempted to indicate when a seminar is usually offered, but this information changes rapidly, so you should double-check with the department before planning your senior-year schedule.

Do seminars have limited enrollments?
Yes. Since seminars have limited enrollments, they may be subject to high demand enrollment procedures. Check with the relevant department to see which courses may be listed "high demand" or else you may be closed out of the seminar of your choice.

Research Alternatives to Seminar: Honors Thesis or Directed Research

Students who do not find a suitable seminar to fulfill the IR Seminar/Research Requirement or who for other reasons wish to satisfy the requirement through research may choose either:

• a one-semester Directed Research Project or
• a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis

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